Orange giant · Leo

Rasalas

Also known as: μ Leonis (μ Leo), HIP 48455

mag 3.9120 light-years

About

Rasalas (μ Leonis) is an orange giant of magnitude 3.9 in Leo, about 120 light-years away.

Rasalas is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around early April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 54° S.
Star patterns: Sickle of Leo.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesVisible from the suburbs on a clear night, but lost in bright city skies.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Rasalas
Designation	μ Leonis (μ Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 48455
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0III
Colour	OrangeB−V colour index 1.22
Magnitude	3.9The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	120 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1900.
Proper motion	0.22″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	09h 52m 45.8s
Declination (J2000)	+26° 00′ 25″